But Manchester United may simply show more willpower and put their money where their mouth is with the required cash this summer.

Real Madrid may decide to look at other areas of their squad first and this could let United in the back door.

As we have also pointed out, this will not be Pogba’s last big contract.

He could quite conceivably spend four glorious years at Manchester United and then move to Madrid in his very peak years.

Whatever happens, this one looks set to smoulder on until the player either commits his future to Juventus or states his intention to leave.

We imagine that with Mino Raiola managing Paul Pogba’s affairs, that any progress will be quickly publicised.

Manchester United have so far signed Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan likely to be the next to confirm his move, possibly when Jose Mourinho faces the press for the first time as United manager on Tuesday.